Guatemala

Since 11 October 2011, torrential rains have caused floods, landslides and serious damages to homes, agriculture and road infrastructure throughout the country.(Copyright: WFP/Elizabeth Sagastume)

Persistent rains brought by Tropical Depression 12E have hit thousands of Guatemalan families with widespread flooding and landslides all over the country.

The World Food Programme (WFP) and the National Committee for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) started the distribution of 10 metric tons of fortified biscuits, enough to assist approximately 11,000 Guatemalans in the areas most affected by the rains of recent days.

"This year, again the vulnerabilities of the agriculture and housing infrastructure are especially affecting the poorest populations who are suffering from the effects of the rains, floods and landslides in recent days," said Willem van Milink, WFP Representative in Guatemala.

"Assistance is under way to ensure that affected families receive all the help they need as quickly as possible, in coordination with national authorities. Our priority now is to prevent further deterioration of their food security situation", he said.

So far, WFP in Guatemala has provided food assistance to around 57,000 affected persons in shelters and communities.

Due to bad weather conditions and damages to roads and bridges a large number of communities remain unreachable and without assistance.